The Morning Pride: July 13, 2011

Welcome to The Morning Pride, ThinkProgress LGBT’s 8:45 AM round-up of the latest in LGBT policy, politics, and some culture too! Here’s what we’re reading this morning, but let us know what you’re checking out too.

– As we reported last night, Republican presidential candidate Gov. Mitt Romney has rejected The FAMiLY LEADER’s “marriage vow,” saying that the oath “contained references and provisions that were undignified and inappropriate for a presidential campaign.” Govs. Jon Huntsman and Gary Johnson have also rejected the pledge. So far, only Rep. Michelle Bachmann and Sen. Rick Santorum have signed the controversial statement.

– Bachmann continues to evade questions about the harmful ex-gay therapy offered by her husband’s clinic. As Towleroad points out, seven cable news shows have covered the controversy, but when Fox News’s Sean Hannity interviewed Bachmann, he didn’t bring it up. Fox Nation did however mention the story with a headline that painted Marcus Bachmann as the victim of a sting operation. Right-wing groups have been quick to defend her and the dangerous therapy.

– A California psychologist has also pointed out that the states licensing board has been accepting educational credits from the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH), a group that promotes the bunk “science” behind reparative therapy.

– The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered the Department of Justice to address an inconsistency between its call for heightened scrutiny for sexual orientation in various cases, yet application of rational basis for sexual orientation in jury selection.

– The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled against a lesbian woman’s claim that she has shared custody over her ex-partner’s daughter. The mother argued that she had not permanently surrendered partial custody and had revoked the privileges she had shared.

– The Family Research Council has created another self-victimizing group called “Citizens Against Religious Bigotry.”

– An openly gay recruit in California has begun re-enlisting now that Dont’ Ask, Don’t Tell has been enjoined.